Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 497: The Senior Sister's Approach

Emperor Han Zhining of the Ming Dynasty collapsed unconscious, his body limp.

Though the Ming court officials gathered inside and outside the palace, they couldn't conceal the impending turmoil facing the Great Ming Dynasty.

After Shen Xi and Yuan Qingci retrieved the Heaven and Earth Sun Moon Pot and the Immortal Firmament Bell, their departure from the Ming capital didn't signify the end of activities for the Daoist masters who had come to this mortal realm.

With Mount Longhu's Xiaoding as their base, they began expanding their operations outward.

Compared to destroying the Ming court's foundations, Mu Chunyang and his allies currently focused more on uprooting the deeply entrenched Confucian-Li School patriarchal system.

Thus their progress appeared relatively slow.

But when news reached the capital, it sent chills down the spines of Ming ministers like Zhou Mingzhe.

Despite Lei Jun's presence, the Ming Dynasty still mobilized troops and gathered court officials to confront the Daoist cultivators head-on.

At this moment, Mu Chunyang, Shen Xi, Chu Kun and other Daoist masters became a greater threat in Zhou Mingzhe's eyes than even the White Lotus Sect and the steppe tribes, officially becoming their foremost concern.

After breaching the Ming capital and interrupting Emperor Han Zhining's exploitation of the nation's dragon veins, Lei Jun himself refrained from further interference in mortal affairs.

Current Ming Dynasty matters were left to Shen Xi, Mu Chunyang and others.

Thus while the Ming court's situation remained precarious, it hadn't yet collapsed completely.

But just remembering how heavenly thunder and fire had shattered their capital made the Ming officials feel as if a sword hung perpetually over their heads.

No matter how hard they tried, the final outcome seemed inevitable.

Even if Lei Jun never intervened again, the Ming court's situation remained dire.

While the White Lotus Sect was no longer their primary concern, its destructive power remained formidable.

Especially after the appearance of the Tang Dynasty's current White Lotus Holy Lord Hui Yin, the Ming Buddhist strongholds opposing them began crumbling.

The White Lotus rebellion flared up anew with unprecedented intensity.

This was the last thing the already fracturing Ming Dynasty needed.

In the capital, at the Prime Minister's residence...

Zhou Mingzhe gazed into the distance wordlessly, having aged decades in just a few days.

His eyes remained fixed on the southwestern Ba-Shu region.

After a long silence, the Ming Prime Minister finally spoke: "That demonic Daoist named Nie Fang in the southwest has been making quite a stir."

"Indeed," his student Nie Song replied gravely. "My family is ashamed to have produced such a rebellious demonic Daoist. My father often says we've failed both His Majesty and the court."

Zhou Mingzhe shook his head: "Though he violates human decency, his talents are truly extraordinary."

Nie Song looked surprised: "While he inherits a new Daoist lineage, he didn't create it himself... Why does Teacher praise him so highly?"

"The Puppeteer lineage wasn't his creation, true, but he developed it magnificently. More importantly..." Zhou Mingzhe handed Nie Song a letter.

After reading it, Nie Song's expression turned even more shocked.

The Daoist rebels in Ba-Shu had prepared countless magical instruments.

Clearly well-prepared, these instruments spread throughout the region, penetrating every corner of society, subtly eroding the foundations of the Li School patriarchal system.

While the patriarchal system resided in people's hearts, its external manifestations through mystical principles formed the framework for Li School cultivation.

Now these Daoists were scraping the bones of Ming scholars.

Frontline scholars like Li Rui already felt Zhou Mingzhe's system - granting mid-low level military authority based on literary talent - faltering, with defeats piling up everywhere.

The mastermind distributing these Daoist instruments was none other than Nie Fang, current leader of the Tang Dynasty's Mystical Daoist Sect.

"This couldn't have been his work alone," Zhou Mingzhe remarked. "But he undoubtedly played a crucial role, despite not having reached the ninth heaven in cultivation."

Nie Song bowed deeply: "Please forgive this student's shortcomings."

"What talent," Zhou Mingzhe sighed. "Pity it's wasted on someone without virtue."

Turning from the southwestern vista, he headed indoors: "Facing such meticulous, long-planned schemes, this old man can only do his best to help our scholars weather this storm."

Before exiting, Zhou Mingzhe instructed Nie Song without breaking stride:

"Keep close watch on the Wu and Qin factions. In times of crisis, we cannot afford internal strife."

Nie Song bowed: "Understood. This student will make arrangements immediately."

..............................

Elsewhere in the capital, Grand Secretary Chao Feng, third in cabinet rank, also gazed solemnly into the distance.

His residence hosted recovering members of the Wu faction.

Since former Prime Minister Chen Yu's passing, Chao Feng had become the Wu faction's undisputed leader.

His followers pressed him: "Grand Secretary, we await your guidance on how to proceed."

Chao Feng remained silent until one whispered:

"We scholars remain loyal to the nation and sovereign... but now... the signs clearly indicate the Mandate of Heaven shifting..."

The ruler-minister relationship bound Li School scholars to share in the nation's dragon vein energy with the emperor.

The entire bureaucratic framework balanced imperial power - no individual could do so alone.

Conversely, the ruler's authority rested on the throne itself, not any individual.

Even dynastic changes were possible.

When the Mandate shifted between dynasties, the Li School patriarchal framework would tremble but eventually stabilize.

No matter which dynasty ruled, this deeply rooted framework would endure.

At least, this was the shared goal of Zhou Mingzhe, Chen Yu, Chao Feng, Sima Cheng and others.

But individuals differed in how to achieve it.

Now Chao Feng and the Wu faction faced a choice - with the Ming Dynasty's backbone broken and national fortune teetering, should they continue supporting it...

Or find another vessel?

Changing vessels wasn't impossible.

But to where?

The formidable Tang Dynasty seemed an unlikely option, especially after Celestial Master Lei Jun's clear stance against Confucian Li School.

So where else?

Chao Feng remained silent, but his attitude heartened faction members who began seriously considering alternatives to the Ming.

..............................

In subsequent days, Buddhist and Daoist forces continued wreaking havoc across the Ming Dynasty from east to west.

Lei Jun remained seated on Penglai's celestial observation platform.

He no longer focused on Ming rulers and officials.

Instead, his gaze swept the land, seeking other rampaging great demons.

With the Tang cultivation world at peace, he could leave terrestrial demons to others.

But with the Ming cultivation world embroiled in civil war, Lei Jun took extra care eliminating great demons so Shen Xi, Mu Chunyang and Hui Yin could act freely.

He also monitored the Ming northeast.

After retreating there, the steppe tribes and remnants of Western Buddhism remained unusually quiet.

Despite the Ming's internal chaos, the northeast showed no activity.

They seemed either recuperating or fearing direct intervention from Lei Jun or Tang Xiaotang.

But Lei Jun suspected their apparent calm concealed deeper schemes.

Perhaps they maintained close contact with the Abyssal Border.

Zheng Baiyu's genius might have improved their concealment methods, explaining the lack of obvious traces.

Yet this was Lei Jun's specialty too.

Over time, his Jade Pure Zhou Tian Mirror and Heavenly Communication and Earthly Hearing Talismans would uncover clues.

Meanwhile, Yuan Qingci, leader of the Ming Shushan Sect, made a special trip from the mortal realm to Penglai to thank Celestial Master Lei Jun:

"The Twin Purple-Blue Swords, Heaven and Earth Sun Moon Pot, Jiuxiao Yuanyang Staff, Taiyi Huashang Robes and Five Decays Great Dao Bell comprise our six founding treasures. Though our sect has branched across realms, we share one ancestor - these artifacts hold extraordinary significance.

Previously, we recovered the Five Decays Great Dao Bell thanks to your breaking of Huangquan. Now the Heaven and Earth Sun Moon Pot returns too. All our sect's branches are endlessly grateful."

Yuan Qingci led a group of Shushan disciples - including Ji Chuan from Tang, Yu Boyan from Han, and Li Wanqiu from Southern Jin - in bowing to Lei Jun:

"Shushan disciples thank the Celestial Master for upholding justice."

Lei Jun raised them with a gesture: "You honor me too much. As allied Daoist sects, mutual support is natural. I merely assisted - credit goes to Sect Leaders Shen and Yuan and all who entered the Ming realm."

Yuan Qingci added: "Our other elders wished to thank you personally, but the war prevents them from leaving. They promise to visit once matters settle. I too must soon return to battle - please forgive this rushed visit."

Lei Jun: "You're too kind, Sect Leader Yuan."

He waved his hand.

Aside from the Taiyi Poxue Sword personally refined by Han Qingtao, the Ming Shushan Sect's remaining top treasures floated before Yuan Qingci.

His gaze lingered on the Du Xu Shuttle, Three Mountain Fire Shield and Chuitian Whip beside the recovered pot and bell.

Apart from one artifact lost before the Ming Dynasty's founding, nearly all their Han-era treasures were now reunited.

Remembering how Han Qingtao had split their sect, taking the whip and shield, while the court confiscated the pot, shuttle and bell - with the shuttle's ownership later disputed - while their own sect was left empty-handed...

What hardship and humiliation they'd endured!

But now that chapter had closed.

"I intend to take the Three Mountain Fire Shield and Chuitian Whip back to battle. The other three treasures should remain enshrined here," Yuan Qingci said.

Lei Jun: "Shushan's treasures belong to Shushan."

Yuan Qingci: "Your generosity moves us deeply."

After more bows, most disciples returned to battle with Yuan Qingci while a few stayed to tend the remaining treasures.

"Quite the spotlight you've claimed," came a slightly envious voice through the Heavenly Communication and Earthly Hearing Talismans.

Lei Jun: "Even if Emperor Han had achieved sainthood, he'd still pale before Venerable Shanzhihui."

Tang Xiaotang in Kongsang scoffed: "True enough."

Suddenly she asked: "I thought you'd kill him outright. Why change approach and emulate senior sister this time?"

Lei Jun: "Not emulating her exactly. When preventing premature realm convergence at Qingxing Mountain, I sensed something odd about the Ming realm's dragon veins.

The technique was masterfully concealed - I only noticed after reaching the Immortal Realm upon careful review.

Zheng Baiyu was the likely culprit.

Killing Han Zhining hastily might have benefited Zheng Baiyu instead. Yet I couldn't let him go unpunished either. While not my usual approach, an exception matters little."

Tang Xiaotang clicked her tongue: "How convenient your methods are - striking from afar beyond the mortal realm with perfect accuracy and power."

Though she'd prepared mortal realm methods allowing longer stays than most Immortals, she still had to enter personally, unlike Lei Jun who could sweep the world from Penglai.

Yet her admiration held no envy - Lei Jun's mortal realm displays were but a fraction of his power.

"One thing particularly interests me."

Now genuine envy entered her voice: "Throughout history, no Talisman Sect practitioner at your level has matched your physical cultivation and movement speed. Even with you in my Tian Shi Yuan boosting me, I might not catch you."

Lei Jun: "You have other methods, little senior sister."

Though envious, Tang Xiaotang's own speed was impressive.

Combined with her precognition and time-slowing abilities, she could at least maintain parity.

"Still, I must find a way."

She insisted seriously: "I love your charging fighting style."